Sunday, 19 October 2008

The postponed Ulster Unionist Party conference has been moved to 6 December. Whether the Conservative Party Leader David Cameron addresses the conference is thought to depend on whether the two parties can reach a deal in advance of December.

Sylvia, Lady Hermon, the MP for North Down has apparently spoken out in praise of Gordon Brown and Lord Mandelson which many believe is a signal that she believes she could not face taking the Conservative Whip if the UUP and the Conservatives strike a deal.

The question now facing the Ulster Unionists is whether they are willing to risk losing their only MP in the short term in order to have the potential to help to create an electoral entity with much broader appeal and influence in the medium term.